The Art of Defining

a Concept
Ask:

• Who do you think is more masculine, your

class nerd or your basketball MVP? Explain
your answer.
We are going to have a reading activity.
• But first, find yourselves a pair.
• Then, identify a male celebrity whom you
think exudes manhood/manliness.
• List down at least 5 reasons as a support to
your choice. You can discuss your answers in
class. You may use your gadgets to show the
picture of the celebrity as visual aid.
Answer the following based on your answers
and descriptions:
1. What are your different ideas on
manhood/manliness?
2. What is/are the dominant notions of
manhood/manliness? Why do you think
so?
Share your ideas with the class.

• Agree or disagree?
Reading text: Being a Man (Paul Theroux)
• Read the text and annotate it.
• Circle the words and/or concepts that are not
familiar especially those that have references to
American culture. Write your questions and/or
comments on the margins too.
Next,
About the Structure
1. What is the essay about? What is the thesis?
2. How did Paul Theroux develop the essay’s the essay’s thesis?
3. What do you think is the purpose of the writer?
4. Go back to your annotation. What are the word that you found
difficult to understand?
5. Are there concepts and/ or references mentioned in the text
that you are not familiar with? What are those?
6. Based on the language and style of the writer, who do you
think is the target audience of the essay?
About the Content
7. Why does Theroux dislike being a man?
8. Based on his different definitions, what is his concept
og being a man?
9. Does your concept of manhood/ manliness discussed
in the warm – up activity match to Theroux concept of
manhood? What accounts for the similarities or
differences? What/ who has influenced your definition of
the concept?
10. What do y ou think are the issues in Theroux’s
definitions of manhood?
 Were you able t identify the different techniques
of defining as used in the essay? What are the
techniques of defining that the writer used? Write in
the table below the definitions and corresponding
techniques of defining that Theroux used.
Definitions Techniques used
Ways in Explaining a Concept
1. Definition
- It is a technique for recognizing a phrase and
clarifying its meaning; its primary goal is to
clarify and explain concepts, ideas, and
issues.
Three ways in presenting definition:
a. Formal definition– Explains a term by clarifying where it originates
from and the characteristic that distinguishes it from others. This can
be done also through term, class, and distinguishing features.
Below is the diagram presentation on formal definition.
b. Informal definition – It is done through brief
explanation. It only includes the term to be defined and
its class.
Below is the diagram presentation on informal
definition.
c. Extended definition – It consists of at least one
paragraph with a detailed description and facts.
Signal Words for Definition:
➢ as defined, for example, for instance, is defined
as, means, such as, to illustrate.
2. Explication
- It is an explanation method in which words, verses,
quotes, or paragraphs are taken for a literary or academic
work and then
interpreted and described in detail.
3. Clarification
- It is a method in which the points are organized
from a broad abstract concept to more specific
and particular details.
Signal Words
➢ After all, as an example, for instance, in other
words, in particular, specifically, to clarify, to be
specific
Directions: Read carefully the short text in the middle of the table.
Then,
• write on the first column the concept it discusses. And on the
third column, the manner by which this concept was elucidated.
• HOW DO YOU I RATE MY LEARNING FOR TODAY?

• WHAT AM I GOING TO DO TO INVOLVE MYSELF

MORE IN THE PROCESS OF LEARNING THE
LESSON TOMORROW?
The Art of
Defining a
Concept Paper
Activity
•Outline
Paul
Theroux’s
essay.
Before reading:
• How would you describe your mother as a wife
to your father?
• In your observation, what are the roles and/or
duties that your mother does as a wife?
• Do you think that she enjoys being a wife? Why
or why not?
Reading activity: Why I Want a Wife (Judy
Brady)
• How are satire and irony used in both of the sample
essays? Cite specific points from the essays.
• Satire - the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule
to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices,
particularly in the context of contemporary politics and
other topical issues.
• Irony - the expression of one's meaning by using
language that normally signifies the opposite, typically
for humorous or emphatic effect
Concept Paper
• an academic paper which tells about a brief summary of a certain
research project, its importance and how it will be carried out. The
main purpose of writing a concept paper is to convince your reader
that your proposed research project is worth doing.
Types of Concept Paper
• discussions, business projects, commentaries, and academic research.
• The structure of the paper depends mainly on the type of concept
paper that the author or writer wants to write.
Seven important aspects to consider when
writing a concept paper in academic research.
part3
Task 1. Breaking News.
• Aklan State University, an academic pillar of excellence for sustainable
development in the community, commits to take initiative to be at the
combat zone and vows to protect the frontliners against the present
pandemic.
• Read the news article on the next page which was taken from the
university’s news portal and find out how the institution takes on its
mission of battling COVID-19. Answer the questions that follow.
• What product was developed by ASU-Ibajay? What do you think was
their goal of manufacturing such item?
• What materials and equipment were used in making the product?
Who are the personnel involved?
• What do you think is the problem which the product addresses?
How?
• If you are a funding agency, would you support this kind of an
initiative? Why?
Task 2. Verbalizing Thoughts. Read the dialogue between the two characters
below. What will you suggest to these learners to materialize the
project?
• I suggest that
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
A concept paper…
• Is a summary document of what the project is all about, the reasons
for conducting the project, and how it will be carried out.
• provides an overview of the project and helps funding agencies
eliminate proposals that are likely to be disapproved. Hence, it helps
save time and effort for both the proponents and the funding
agencies.
Several uses of a concept paper:
• First, it serves as a foundation of the full proposal.
• Second, it helps determine whether a certain project is feasible or
not.
• Third, it is used to pique the interest of the potential funding
agencies.
• Finally, it is used to obtain informal feedback on the ideas prior to
preparing the full proposal.
• Since a concept paper is a preliminary document for a proposal, it
shows a preview of the improvements that the proponent would like
to have implemented.
• Concept papers can be helpful in addressing social issues especially
since they aim to show solutions to tangible issues which plague
society.
Parts of a concept paper
• A concept paper usually ranges from 500 to 2000 words and is usually
divided into several parts.
• The parts of the concept paper may also vary depending on the
nature of the project/activity.
Performance task
• Write a concept paper. Assume a lead persona
of a lead researcher for a non-government
organization who intends to submit a proposal
for a project funded by Asian Development
Bank. You may also follow the structure of the
sample texts to be given by your teacher or
you may use other applicable formats.